Mercedes-Benz agrees to pay $149.6 million to settle multistate emissions allegations
NBC News • • business
Key Points:
- Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG agreed to pay $149.6 million to settle allegations of installing software devices in over 211,000 diesel vehicles that manipulated emissions tests between 2008 and 2016.
- The software optimized emission controls during testing but reduced them during normal driving, causing vehicles to exceed legal nitrogen oxide limits, a pollutant harmful to respiratory health and the environment.
- The automaker allegedly concealed the devices to meet fuel efficiency and design goals while marketing the vehicles as environmentally friendly and compliant with emissions standards.
- The settlement includes $120 million paid to a coalition of 50 attorneys general, with an additional $29 million contingent on a consumer relief program offering $2,000 to owners of unrepaired affected